Wallace “Wally” L. Nelson, 97, Siren, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, Feb. 2, 2024.
Wally was born Sept. 19, 1926, to parents Martin and Hazel (Jensen) Nelson and lived in Grantsburg until he was 9 years old, when his family moved to Siren.
Wally enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17. He served on LCT1241 and participated in the invasions at Iwo Jima and Okinawa during WWII. After WWII, he returned to Siren to marry his high school sweetheart, Rose, in 1946. Wally was co-owner of Nelson’s Garage before serving as Siren’s postmaster for nine years, then joining the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. He then started a small electrical business with his son, Michael. Wally was grateful to see the world in the military and the United States as a civilian employee.
Rose and Wally recently celebrated 77 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling together and spending time with family and friends. Wally was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing and watching the wildlife. Wally was active in the community through the American Legion and the Siren Methodist Church, holding leadership offices in both.
Wally was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Hazel (Jensen) Nelson; sister, Louise (Nelson) Miller; and son, Michael Nelson.
Wally is survived by his wife, Rose (Lund) Nelson; son, Mark Nelson and his wife Lesley; grandchildren, Emily (Chad) Sebo, Jessica (Adam) Poskozim, Nick (Amy) Nelson and Syren (Joseph) Elsner; great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Tyler, Elyanna, Adelaide, Lillian, Jordy, Brooks and Samuel; sisters, Joan (Richard) Van Pelt and Donis (James) Taylor; and many nieces and nephews.
His strength, sharp wit and sense of humor will be missed by everyone he knew.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m., with visitation from 10-11 a.m., at Siren United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Lakeview/Mudhen Lake Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, nationalww2museum.org/give/ways-give, or a veterans organization of your choice.
Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster. Online condolences can be made at swedberg-taylor.com.
